Pagan Deities and Occult Themes
While Neopagans are pagans, the nuance of language is used to distinguish between the pagan religions that defined ancient cultures and modern takes on pagan philosophy. This article explains ancient paganism and when and how it started to be referred to as “pagan,” the disappearance of traditional pagan religions, and the modern revival of pagan... Continue Reading →
The pagan festival of Imbolc falls halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. It is usually celebrated on February 1st or 2nd in the Northern Hemisphere (beginning at sunset on the first and continuing throughout the 2nd). Modern pagans celebrate on August 1st or 2nd, although it is not a tradition with deep... Continue Reading →
The Book of Shadows is one of the famous grimoires within the magical community, but it belongs specifically to the realm of Wicca. The original Book of Shadows was the founding book of Wicca, the pagan religion founded by the British occultist Gerald Gardner in the 1950s. He claimed that the knowledge within it came... Continue Reading →
Mirrors are often portrayed as magical objects in both history and fantasy. It is perhaps no surprise that mirrors were believed to reveal things beyond what was normally visible. Early mirrors did not give a clear image, and seeing shadowy images was probably not uncommon. In addition, mirrors were expensive items limited to the elite... Continue Reading →
The elements are the foundations of witchcraft, alchemy, and all practices underpinned by nature: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Aether. They are the raw power that shapes both the world around us and our inner worlds. It is only when you harness the power of the elements that your rituals become potent. It is only... Continue Reading →
Modern pagans, spiritualists, and anyone who chooses to live close to the natural cycles of the Earth measure the passage of time via the Wheel of the Year. These are the important lunar and solar events that mark the passage of time and the changes of season. Some of these important moments in the annual... Continue Reading →
Grimoires are books that hold esoteric knowledge, such as magical spells or the names of demons. While the words Grimoire and Book of Shadows are often used interchangeably, they are not the same, with a Book of Shadows being a particular type of grimoire. Read on to discover the history of grimoires and some of... Continue Reading →
Aradia is a powerful goddess sent to earth to teach witchcraft in Charles Godfrey Leland’s 1899 book, “Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches.” Leland claimed that this was a genuine religious text used by pagan witches in Tuscany, which he later edited and published. Others support his claim, suggesting that she can be identified... Continue Reading →
After the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, the Thoth Tarot Deck, developed by Aleister Crowley, is one of the most popular decks used by readers. In addition to working with Lady Frieda Harris on new art, he introduced new ideas into the iconography taken from Kabbalah and Alchemy. He also changed the order of the cards in... Continue Reading →
There are many reasons you might feel drawn to the Tarot. Who doesn't want a glimpse of the future? But Tarot is more about accessing your intuition to better understand where you are and what you really want. Find out more about the Tarot, how it works, and how to do a Tarot reading -... Continue Reading →